Glen Spey 21 Year Old 1997 (cask 12952) - Xtra Old Particular (Douglas Laing) vs Lagavulin 12 Year Old (Special Release 2017)
Side-by-side comparison — price, ABV, scores, tasting notes, pros & cons.
Glen Spey 21 Year Old 1997 (cask 12952) - Xtra Old Particular (Douglas Laing)
Glen Spey
£207
Lagavulin 12 Year Old (Special Release 2017)
Lagavulin
★ 5.00
£250
| Glen Spey 21 Year Old 1997 (cask 12952) - Xtra Old Particular (Douglas Laing) | Lagavulin 12 Year Old (Special Release 2017) | |
|---|---|---|
| Distillery | Glen Spey | Lagavulin |
| Region | Speyside | Islay |
| Country | Scotland | Scotland |
| Type | Single Malt | Single Malt |
| ABV | 51.1% | 56.5% |
| Age | 21 yr | 12 yr |
| Price | £206.5 | £250 |
| Rating | — | 5.00/5 |
Glen Spey 21 Year Old 1997 (cask 12952) - Xtra Old Particular (Douglas Laing)
Lagavulin 12 Year Old (Special Release 2017)
Glen Spey 21 Year Old 1997 (cask 12952) - Xtra Old Particular (Douglas Laing)
Lagavulin 12 Year Old (Special Release 2017)
Quick verdict
Lagavulin 12 Year Old (Special Release 2017) is rated higher (5.00 vs 0.00).
Glen Spey 21 Year Old 1997 (cask 12952) - Xtra Old Particular (Douglas Laing) is better value at £207 vs £250.
For beginners: Glen Spey 21 Year Old 1997 (cask 12952) - Xtra Old Particular (Douglas Laing) is more approachable (45/100 beginner score).
Glen Spey 21 Year Old 1997 (cask 12952) - Xtra Old Particular (Douglas Laing)
Pros
- +More affordable (£206.5 vs £250)
- +Longer maturation (21 vs 12 years)
Cons
- −High ABV (51.1%) — may need water
- −Lower community rating (0.0 vs 5.0)
- −Lacks smoke character compared to the alternative
Lagavulin 12 Year Old (Special Release 2017)
Pros
- +Balanced smoky character without being overwhelming
- +Better value for money
- +Higher community rating (5.0/5)
- +More widely reviewed by the community
Cons
- −High ABV (56.5%) — may need water
- −More expensive (£250 vs £206.5)
- −Dry and austere — not for those who prefer sweeter drams
Who should buy Glen?
Glen Spey 21 Year Old 1997 (cask 12952) - Xtra Old Particular (Douglas Laing) is for enthusiasts who appreciate cask-strength intensity. Best enjoyed with a few drops of water to open up the flavours. Not ideal for casual drinking or beginners.
Who should buy Lagavulin?
Lagavulin 12 Year Old (Special Release 2017) is for enthusiasts who appreciate cask-strength intensity. Best enjoyed with a few drops of water to open up the flavours. Not ideal for casual drinking or beginners.
Tasting notes
Only Glen Spey 21 Year Old 1997 (cask 12952) - Xtra Old Particular (Douglas Laing)
Only Lagavulin 12 Year Old (Special Release 2017)